System Research Administrators' Group

The Systems Research Administrator's Group (SRAG) consists of Sponsored Programs pre-award and post-award representatives
from each of the institutions within the University System of Maryland. The purpose of the group is to exchange
information and ideas, collaborate on those issues which impact sponsored projects administration, and share best
practices to support research and scholarly activities at our constituent institutions. The group's objective is
to share knowledge, experiences and vet proposed changes concerning a wide range of federal, state, and institutional
policies. Research administration not only impacts the management and administration of sponsored projects operations,
but also frequently impacts areas across university administrative units such as Finance, HR, Academic Affairs,
Procurement, Facilities, Legal, as well as Research Compliance and Technology Transfer. SRAG acts in an advisory
capacity to University System Maryland proposed policy changes governing research.

SRAG members keep abreast of federal and state policy changes by participating in the Council on
Governmental Relations (COGR) and the Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP). These organizations
provide a forum for obtaining the latest information in proposed federal regulations which can potentially
have a major impact on sponsored program administration of federal awards at our constituent institutions.
Participation provides an opportunity for SRAG members to advocate for those policies and procedures which minimize
regulatory burden placed on faculty. Further, it provides updates to inform senior management on issues which effect
institutional policies governing research and sponsored programs.

In addition, SRAG members collaborate with State of Maryland Governor's grants office
representatives to establish standard award terms and conditions with State of Maryland agencies.
This initiative provides a mechanism for an efficient and effective award instrument to promote partnerships
and scholarly collaboration between USM institutions and State of Maryland sponsors.

SRAG members work on a continuous basis on initiatives which support sponsored projects administration
through collaboration on standard agreement terms and conditions with the use of inter-institutional agreements
to promote collaborations between campuses; participation in professional development opportunities through conferences
and workshops, and pooling resources and shared services through software license agreements which support research
administration.

SRAG provides information for the Report on Extramural Funding that annually goes to the Regents'
Committee on Education Policy and has helped refine the language used in the report to improve clarity.

SRAG has agreed to utilize the Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP) Subaward Template for all
inter-institutional agreements. The FDP Subaward template can be found under the Quick Links box
under "FDP Subaward Forms".